I probably should have known that, but did not... which lead to some research...

Some interesting little factoids on Bernie Sanders:

1. Bernie was an independent from 1979 to 2015.

2. Bernie only became a Democrat in 2015 so he could run for president on the Democratic ticket.

3. Bernie went back to being an Independent in late 2016.

So, good or bad... right or wrong... Bernie was never really a Democrat (though he claims to be "affiliated" ).

The great Bernie Sanders was/is essentially an opportunist who put himself 1st, screwed the Democratic Party, and is largely responsible for the election of Trump.

IMO the Democratic party never should have let this happen. Of course I also think the Republican party should have jettisoned Trump, as he really isn't a Republican (IMO), though at least he has been a registered Republican at various points in his life ("1987–1999, 2009–2011, 2012–present" ).

Too bad Bernie didn't try to start a third political party... or maybe it isn't too bad.

Final Note:
The Democratic & Republican parties are not part of the USA government. They are independent organizations. Yes, most politicians in the USA are members of one or the other, but they are independent organizations (corporations?), not actually part of the U.S. government. Just and FYI.

I probably should have known that, but did not... which lead to some research...

Some interesting little factoids on Bernie Sanders:

1. Bernie was an independent from 1979 to 2015.

2. Bernie only became a Democrat in 2015 so he could run for president on the Democratic ticket.

3. Bernie went back to being an Independent in late 2016.

So, good or bad... right or wrong... Bernie was never really a Democrat (though he claims to be "affiliated" ).

The great Bernie Sanders was/is essentially an opportunist who put himself 1st, screwed the Democratic Party, and is largely responsible for the election of Trump.

IMO the Democratic party never should have let this happen. Of course I also think the Republican party should have jettisoned Trump, as he really isn't a Republican (IMO), though at least he has been a registered Republican at various points in his life ("1987–1999, 2009–2011, 2012–present" ).

Too bad Bernie didn't try to start a third political party... or maybe it isn't too bad.

Final Note:
The Democratic & Republican parties are not part of the USA government. They are independent organizations. Yes, most politicians in the USA are members of one or the other, but they are independent organizations (corporations?), not actually part of the U.S. government. Just and FYI.

Hmm, well screwing the Democratic Party would have also been to run as an independent and take votes away in the general election.

So maybe he shouldn’t have run at all. But then again, maybe it was needed in getting in a progressive jolt for the long term, lest we wanted to continue the status quo under the Clinton/Bush dynasties.

Sure, he could have done it for himself....or he could have done it to put himself in the better position to win in order to help others. This dichotomy could be said of anyone running for office, couldn’t it?

Hmm, well screwing the Democratic Party would have also been to run as an independent and take votes away in the general election.

So maybe he shouldn’t have run at all. But then again, maybe it was needed in getting in a progressive jolt for the long term, lest we wanted to continue the status quo under the Clinton/Bush dynasties.

Sure, he could have done it for himself....or he could have done it to put himself in the better position to win in order to help others. This dichotomy could be said of anyone running for office, couldn’t it?

It is doubtful he would have been taken seriously as an independent. He would not have gotten the exposure due to the debates. And likely would not have gotten much media attention.

He would have been relegated to the level of the libertarians and green party.

It is doubtful he would have been taken seriously as an independent. He would not have gotten the exposure due to the debates. And likely would not have gotten much media attention.

He would have been relegated to the level of the libertarians and green party.

Maybe. But Nader and Perot made a dent. I think it was the similar kind of election that was ripe for a strong independent, where people were looking to upend the status quo. Nobody came forward was all. Michael Bloomberg seriously considered it, seeing the unique opportunity and environment, but didn’t see a path that wouldn’t lead to a Trump (or Cruz at the time) victory and decided against it, putting his endorsement on Hillary.

Now I like sanders, but really he’s not going to “change the party” from the out side. He joins and he can make changes. It’s true the party has to teach out to the young and minority voters. Sanders, even though he’s old, appeals to them, he can help, but the I’m in and I’m out, is also going to piss off people.

That s*** divides the party and means they lose. We’ve seen that play out already.